BANGKOK, Aug 3 – Three persons, including two boys, were killed in a landslide in Mae Hong Son on Wednesday, and one more flood-related death was reported in Sukhothai, raising the death toll to five.
Mae Hong Son Governor Kamthorn Thavornsathit said a landslide hit 11 houses killing three persons –two boys and a 53-year-old woman – 12 people are injured and four persons are still missing in Sop Moei district.
The governor said a centre has been set-up to help flood victims in Mae Sariang where 540 houses were damaged by flooding.
In Sukhothai, the Yom River overflowed its banks and flooded houses. Mr Amnart Thongyang, 35, was electrocuted while trying to move his belongings.
One person was drowned in the flood in Udon Thani Tuesday and another was reported missing in Phrae.
Permanent Secretary for Public Health Dr Paijit Warachit visited the flood-hit province of Phrae on Wednesday. He ordered local officials to provide health services to flood victims thoroughly and to prevent outbreaks of water-borne diseases. No such outbreak has been reported so far.
Dr Paijit said 16 provinces in the North and the Northeast have been affected by flood.
Eight hospitals and public health centres in Phrae, Chiang Mai, Phisanulok and Lampang have been flooded and forced to close.
More than 60 mobile medical units have treated more than 5,000 patients so far. Most of those being treated have athlete’s foot, followed by those having colds, wounds and rashes. Some suffered insomnia due to worries about their lost and damaged properties.
Meanwhile, Chinnapat Poomrat Secretary-General Office of basic Education Commission (OBEC) said 80 schools in Thailand’s flood-hit northern and northeastern provinces have been affected and 27 schools have been closed.
OBEC gave 200,000 baht to each of 21 education areas in 13 flood-stricken provinces.
More budget will be allocated to repair schools after damage has been evaluated.
Outgoing Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on Wednesday met via video conference with the Sukhothai governor and officials from other concerned agencies. Sukhothai has been hard-hit by flood.
He said local authorities were able to carry out immediate relief measures as each province has available budget for emergency relief. The prime minister is scheduled to visit Sukhothai.
Director-General of the Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department Vibul Sanguanpong said in Phrae, about 25,776 persons in six districts were affected. In Sukhothai, three districts were hit by flood. In Chiang Mai, 7,158 persons in 16 districts were affected.
Flooding in Nan’s eight district started to return to normal. In Lamphun 7,783 persons in four districts and 16,476 people in nine districts of Lampang are affected by flood. In Mae Hong Son, flash flood hit seven districts.
Other provinces hit by flood are Uttaradit, Phichit, Phisanulok, Udonthani, Nongkhai, Bungkan and Sakon Nakon.
About 255 military, police, volunteers, and students helped evacuate people in flood hit areas.
Flooding in Sukhothai extended to five districts and the provincial seat was hard hit. The Yom River flooded the business area in the municipality of Sawankhalok.
